Wise Men (and Women) Still Seek Him

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

-- Matthew 6:23

When we seek something — or someone — we need to know what — or whom — we’re looking for. For example, Christ-followers on their life-long spiritual journey look toward Jesus as their Lord and Savior. And every day, they should seek to know him better and do God’s will with purpose and vision.

If you’re a Christian, it's no revelation that this odyssey can be rough at times. But let’s consider the original Christ-followers 2,000 years ago, who traveled countless miles through deserts and rugged terrain -- just to meet Jesus in person.

They were called the Magi, but you might know them from the Christmas

story as the Wise Men or Three Kings. It’s thought that they were astrologers from Babylon (ancient Iraq), who were familiar with the Old Testament prophesies about the Jew’s long-awaited messiah.

The time came when they spotted a special star in the nighttime sky. It was a sign that was both breathtaking and unmistakable. And the Magi would soon follow it at all costs to gaze upon and worship the King of Kings.

The second chapter of Matthew’s gospel reveals that the Wise Men lived up to their name. And if we look closer we’ll see that their successful journey highlights some important principles that we can embrace today. We learn first that following God can be dangerous and demanding. Our winding spiritual pathway is full of hairpin turns and steep hills rather than long, smooth stretches of highway. And to reach their destination, the Magi chose the road-less-taken rather than the direct route. But how often throughout our day do we choose the easy way out rather than doing the difficult — but right — thing?

The Magi’s long journey also reassures us that as Christ-followers, we will find Jesus if we search for him diligently. The Three Kings may well have been familiar with Jeremiah 29:13, which reads:

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 

So let’s follow the Wise Men’s example. They recognized their Savior's star from far away, and then stayed on the path until they reached their destination.